Winter Fitness: Strategies for Staying Fit During the Holidays & Beyond
For many outdoor athletes, the winter feels like a time to go into hibernation. Jogging, riding your bike, etc. just aren't as appealing in the winter as they are in the spring and summer -- let's be honest about that. Sure you could take those sports indoors, but most of us find those activities appealing because they get us outside, in the sunshine, breathing fresh air. A treadmill just can't offer that.
Of course there are outdoor winter activities like skiing, snowboarding and ice skating (just to name a few) but they're not as easily accessible (or as affordable) as jogging and you can't exactly squeeze in a quick run on the slopes before work like you could slip in, say, a jog or bike ride.
So what's the solution? Load on the layers? Sure, that's an option but here is a better one: Yoga.
We've all heard about the benefits of yoga -- improved posture, strength, awareness, etc. and the winter is a perfect time to start a yoga practice. You can do it in the comfort of your own (warm and well heated!) living room or you can take a class at a studio (to feel a little less like a winter hermit). You can also do yoga for as little as 5 minutes or as long as 90 minutes, slipping it in nearly anywhere you have a break in your busy winter schedule. A great website with 100s of classes (and a FREE 15-day trial!) is Yogaglo.com.
Yoga will not only help you maintain the strength and endurance you've worked at improving all spring and summer -- it will make you even stronger, more agile and flexible, so you can literally hit the ground running when it's warm outside and continue to improve from where you left off. No backtracking on your progress - no getting back into shape or your cycling body.
If yoga isn't your speed, consider trying TRX at home or taking a class (again, that hermit thing). If I was only allowed one piece of workout equipment for the rest of my life, I would pick my TRX. It's pricey, but well worth the investment. My husband hates going to the gym. He hates lifting weights. But he LOVES TRX! (He says it's the results that are addicting). For more information visit trxtraining.com.
You can also try bootcamp (classes or at home with a DVD), spinning and dance. I like to dance while I clean the house. You burn a lot of calories that way! Who cares if your husband and children stare at you ;)